Meet The Owners
We're Tim & Vanessa.
Together we are delighted to welcome guests to Cornerstone Cottage, the Cotswold holiday home built for us and designed for people to get away together, relaxing & making memories.
The Cornerstone Cottage story began when we were living in nearby Chipping Norton.
We began to love the beautiful Cotswold countryside, towns & villages. We were keen to have a holiday home.
In Spring 2003, we were on the point of buying a cottage in Woodstock, the village where Blenheim Palace is situated. But this was all to change one Sunday...
The Cornerstone Cottage Story
An eye-catching advertisement in The Sunday Times led to a day discovering the wonderful Lower Mill Estate, being driven around and hearing about the vision for a residential nature reserve with Spa and many other facilities.
We were captivated by the location in The Cotswold Water Park - The Cotswolds & so much more.
The location of our holiday home was chosen close to the main facilities, and yet away from the commotion.
Over the years we have grown to love it more and more.
What began as a place for ourselves to
get away in natural beauty has grown into
a place of welcome bringing people together,
fostering moments of joy, connection, and celebration.
We love reading reviews from our guests, often telling us how effortless and relaxing was their stay:
"Brilliant stay... The owners have literally thought of everything"
A holiday home in all seasons & for many different reasons...
Family Summer Holidays
Lingering on the sundeck with morning coffee as the sun rises, secluded & tranquil.
Children Swimming at nearby Mill Village pool, dad supervising while mum enjoys a Spa Treatment or perhaps a bit of shopping.
Kayaking on a lake.
Afternoon tea at a favourite village.
Family air rifle shooting at The Cotswold Range a short walk away.
Walking in the meadows to enjoy a picnic.
Delighting in a glass of wine with sunset over a lake, watching birds and beaver.
And home to dinner cooked by a chef.
To the sundeck afterdark with a drink to watch the stars under one of the darkest skies in southern England.
Time together, memories & activities for all ages and all without the hassle of travelling abroad.
Bolthole Retreat - Weekend Away or Midweek Break
We frequently go for 2 nights - weekend away or midweek.
Midweek can be particularly wonderful in colder months
-Wrapping up warm for a walk to come back to the log fire and a favourite drink.
-Massage & Swim at the Spa, which often quieter midweek away from school holidays.
Friends Reunions - Relax & Re-Connect
We enjoy being at our cottage for friends reunions, and so do many of our guests.
Enjoy the peace of the natural surroundings, the spa & swimming pools, the Cotswolds and perhaps a meal cooked by a chef.
Cotswold Christmas at the Cottage
Christmas & New Year are wonderful in the Cotswolds...
...Cornerstone Cottage is your home form home, decorated for the season
...You could even sit back and enjoy Christmas dinner cooked by a private chef , they clear up as well.
Venture out for a winter walk and enjoy the log fire on your return.
Visit Cotswold towns & villages, or perhaps one of the Christmas lights festivals
Getting away from the crowds?
Cornerstone Cottage has welcomed a family from Chamonix who rent out their apartment during the peak Christmas & New Year season.
At the same time were skiing as a family ourselves.
Comfortable Base for Festivals & Events
Well-located for the many Cotswold festivals & events, Cornerstone Cottage is popular for those who prefer to have a restful place to stay while enjoying their event.
UK Base for International Meetup
Good transport links make Cornerstone Cottage a great place to for families on a UK visit.
This is what we did when we were living abroad ourselves. Our UK friends and family were happy to travel to Lower MIll Estate to enjoy time together.
We have hosted guests from many other countries as well as British families living abroad.
There are many other reasons people enjoying staying at Cornerstone Cottage - looking for ideas?
Take a look at the pages under the menu headings "Events", "Inspiration" & "Seasons"
Gastro Excellence
The Cotswolds is experiencing a food & drink renaissance - restautarants & pubs, local vineyards, farms, food producers and drink manufacturers. See more...
Relax & Revive
We focus on ensuring you have the information you need to have the stay you are looking for.
Award-winning Spa
Included in your stay it's only a short walk to the exclusive onsite spa, with swimming pools, sauna, steam room, gym. A wide range of treatments & massages are bookable at additional cost. Cotswold Spa Holidays (Learn more...)
Explore
Looking to venture out? A short drive to the Cotswolds and our local area - villages, historical sites, shopping, nature and the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England.
Sustainable & Eco-Friendly
We are working towards lower environmental impact - from our a renewable-only electricity supplier, to insulation improvements & our eco heat pump.
Always Learning
So many people have enjoyed staying at Cornerstone Cottage, in all seasons and for many different reasons.
Our hardback welcome photo book has been very popular – with useful information and pictures. More immediate and up-to-date is our digital guidebook, full of the things you need to know in advance and while staying at the cottage. As one recent guest commented
“You gave us all the information we needed to hit the ground running
from eating out. sight-seeing, activities &
we felt right at home in your very well-equipped home.
Home from home. Thank you,”
Recognizing that people are different, we provide summaries with links as well as more detailed information as required for you to enjoy the stay you are looking for.
Our invitation to you
Hoping for time away to reconnect that is restful &replenishing?
We’d be delighted to welcome you to our holiday home.
Check our availability or get in touch to start planning your stay.